September 28, 2023 Schultz, Carter

SSD Hosts Watershed School’s “Maker Movement” Class

Today SSD hosted middle school students that are part of the Watershed School’s new class “The Maker Movement.” These students are learning how to be the makers and problem solvers of the future! Today the students learned about the makerspace, the tools within it, and presented their designs for feedback.

The students are currently designing adaptive aids for helping people with disabilities participate in various athletic activities. Over the coming weeks the designs will be refined and prototypes of some of the designs built at SSD! The objectives of this class are deeply aligned with SSDs core values, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership with the program.

The full description for the class from the school is: The potential of the future lies within our hands! The future is full of surprises, but history has shown us that we must always be prepared for the unexpected. With the advanced tools available to us today, we have the ability to tap into our creative problem-solving skills. This engineering and design course will teach us how to use modern fabrication tools safely and creatively. The course will be structured around a series of design challenges, such as building a toy that can launch a foam ball using a laser cutter, or using a 3-D printer to solve a problem on Mars. We will not only become proficient in using these tools, but also experts in the design thinking process. This will empower us to not only design for the world, but to design with the world. As members of the maker movement, we will become solution seekers who can enter new environments, empathize with others, and help solve even the smallest or most urgent problems of the day.

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June 19, 2023 Bailey, James

Wood Engraved Map by James Bailey

I used the ShopBot CNC router with a fine engraving tool to engrave this custom map of the Sword Coast from Dungeons and Dragons. The map is part of a larger gaming table I built at the SSD.

Plenty of space on the ShopBot bed for this project!
Even over such a large workspace the machine is awesomely precise and delicate with the cuts.
Spraypainted black to fill in the lines, then sanded the surface to expose the wood so the lines really pop
Gluing up the map in a frame
Applying finish: 4 coats of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Semi-Gloss
Action shot of the map (and the gaming table) in use for D&D
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March 30, 2023 Schultz, Carter

Fundraiser / Member Drive

Dear Boulder Community,

The Solid State Depot (SSD) is asking for your support. We are a non-profit makerspace located in Boulder, Colorado, that has been providing a platform for creators and innovators in the area to pursue their passions for over a decade. SSD is a community-driven space that provides tools, equipment, and workspace to its members, who are made up of engineers, designers, artists, and hobbyists.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit us hard. Over the last 2 years we have lost ~20% of our membership, and our financial situation has become unsustainable. We are currently losing approximately $1,000 per month and are ~20 members short of being break even. Without your support, we are at risk of having to close our doors permanently.

We support our community

SSD is more than just a makerspace. It is a community that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Our mission is to provide access to tools, knowledge, and resources to people of all ages and backgrounds, and to inspire the next generation of makers, engineers, and artists.

Our STEM education programs have been particularly successful in engaging young people in science, technology, engineering, and math. We have worked with schools, community groups, and non-profit organizations to provide workshops, classes, and events that introduce our community to the world of making and inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields.

We believe that SSD is an essential part of the Boulder community. It provides a unique space for people to come together and work on projects, learn new skills, and collaborate on innovative ideas. It is a hub for creativity, and we are proud of the impact that we have had on the local community.

How to support

But we need your help to keep our doors open. We are asking for your support in any way that you can give. Whether you can donate your time, expertise, or financial resources, every little bit counts. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide access to tools, knowledge, and resources to people of all ages and backgrounds, and to inspire the next generation of makers, engineers, and artists.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 dollars and to increase our membership roster by 20 before the end of the summer. If you are able to financially support the space, donations can be made on our website. Even more valuable than your donation, is spreading the word about Solid State Depot and encouraging folks to become sustaining members.

Please consider supporting SSD today. Together, we can keep this vital resource for the Boulder community open and thriving.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Carter Schultz

Board Member / COO

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